Gifts Freely Given

There's a great deal of pressure on you to spend money this time of year. Is there nothing about Christmas that's unspoiled by commercialization? Actually, there is. Every year BandTogether, our hometown GLBTA concert band, presents a holiday concert of seasonally appropriate music that ranges from Christmas carols to wintry-themed classical music, and they do it for free. The musicians are all volunteers, but they know their stuff and they're playing this music because they love it. So you get music, love and a gift in one show, and it costs you nothing. BandTogether's 2013 Holiday Concert takes place at 8 p.m. tonight at the 560 Building (560 Trinity Avenue, University City; www.bandtogetherstl.com). Although admission is gratis, the band takes donations almost as eagerly as it takes applause, so if you have it and can spare it, throw a little money in the instrument case by the front table. No pressure.
Sat., Dec. 21, 2013